Visa Challenges

There are any number of things in Masantol to stretch you. The constant rain at this time of the year means there are always flooded streets. Have you ever gone shopping with rubber boots and water rising past your calves? The passing of typhoon sepat added havoc to our water problem. We are not speaking of stores you drive to and park. You either walk or ride a trike or boat. Many stores in Masantol are part of a large open market. I question how perishables can be preserved in such conditions. By the way the boats are extra long, stretched canoe shaped boats. Unlike canoes they have inboard motors. Some even have canopy roofs. They transport you from village to village.
This Monday we had to travel a little further than the next village to reach the Philippines immigration office. The purpose of my journey was to extend my visa, due to expire August 21st. I was dressed typical CC style with shorts and a tee shirt. After an hour and fifteen minute ride I finally arrived at the government office. As I pushed the glass door open, a uniformed guard (with a gun) stopped me. I wondered to myself what the problem could be. I was informed that in order to do business in this office I would have to change clothes. So, here was my challenge for the day. They would not allow me in this single room office while wearing short pants. I found it ironic that women wearing knee length dresses were allowed in to complete business. I guess my legs were too ugly. So we proceeded to the Mall. It was time and cost prohibitive to return home. I purchased a new pair of Levi's. This was also a challenge. Not to many of the small frame Filipinos wear size 42. With a new pair of long pants I was finally allowed to do business. After a few unexpected ad on fees I had my visa extension. Praise the Lord.
Well there are plenty of challenges to go around. Just the other night we were preparing to have a youth meeting. Some of the young people urged me to come look outside. They were all in the doorway looking up. As I joined them I observed the fireworks. There are many different wires coming from the power poles. Some of them are hooked in by squatters seeking free power. Tonight the main wire was glowing, then sparking and finally flaming. At times like this you miss the USA. "Brown outs" as they call them are pretty normal in the Philippines. In Masantol the power seems to go off at least once a day. You hope it's not as your walking around at night. Definitely not while your showering. When it's hot and humid you sure miss those fans when they go off. But then you use the handheld, self powered fans. They work also, just not as strong.